Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Head of the Charles on October 18, 2025 ,
Final
Women's Rowing
at Head of the Charles
Kansas Rowing Earns First Big 12 Recognition of the Season with Varsity 8+ Boat
4/15/2026 12:13:00 PM | Women's Rowing
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Varsity 8+ boat has been selected as the Big 12 Boat of the Week after helping the Jayhawks secure nine points to close out Kansas' third-consecutive victory at the Dillions Sunflower Showdown with a 22 – 0 sweep against Kansas State.
"We are very proud of the whole squad's effort last week in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown, but these nine athletes shouldered the responsibility of being in our top boat, showed up really well on race day, and got the job done decisively," says head rowing coach Andrew Derrick. "Being in the I Eight means being the standard bearers for the program and really proud of how they led the way for our squad."
All our boats need to continue to find some speed in the late season, but we are encouraged by their progress and the team's growth in the early season to earn this honor"
The Varsity 8+ boat is comprised of senior Kara Lyons, juniors Kathryn Borthwick, Gretchen Schmierer-Knust, Tya Drennen, Eva Robinson, Gracie Shepherd, Sophie Pense and coxswain Ruby Moritz-Cammack, with freshman Claire Van Mater crossing the finish line at 06:47.070 to win the final race of the regatta and the Sunflower Showdown Trophy at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City.
This marks Kansas' first Big 12 honor since last season's Varsity 8+ boat victory at the Dillions Sunflower Showdown (May 3, 2025) and first of the season. Additionally, this is the first time a Kansas boat has received a Big 12 Boat of the Week in three straight seasons.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks head to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the Lake Wheeler Invitational on Apr. 24 –25, where they will face a competitive field of programs. Race times will be announced at a later date.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
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